Why Has the Popularity of Cannabis Increased During This Pandemic?

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Millions lost their livelihood and thousands of small and medium-scale businesses have gone bankrupt. 

However, surprisingly, the cannabis market has thrived and multiplied its business this last year. A survey has shown that the popularity of cannabis and cannabis-infused products has increased manifold during the pandemic. 

But why has cannabis grown to so much prominence while the world was going through one of the most challenging times in centuries? This article will explore the reasons why cannabis has become so popular and what experts have to say about it. If you want to explore different kinds of cannabis products, you can check out Just Cannabis Weed Store.

Why Has Cannabis Become So Popular During the Pandemic?

During the pandemic, people worldwide had to go through a long duration of self-isolation which was quite stressful. Many people chose to use cannabis to help cope with stress and anxiety, uplift their mood and feel better. Others might have chosen weed for self-medication or for recreational purposes.

Hospitals and clinics were overcrowded, and people with minor illnesses chose not to visit the healthcare facilities for precautionary reasons. As a result, many people turned to cannabis supplements to help cope with chronic pain, inflammation, and other diseases like diabetes. Others chose to use it to enjoy themselves with their friends during the year-long quarantine. 

In America alone, weed consumers bought cannabis worth $18.3 billion in the past year, almost double the sales value of the year before the pandemic. One of the primary reasons for this boom in cannabis purchase is the widespread legalization of weed. 

Out of 50 states in the US, 48 states have decriminalized medicinal marijuana. Among these, 16 states now allow their citizens to purchase and use recreational weed. Last year, New York became one of the largest cities in the US that have legalized recreational marijuana. People in the States even began to stock Cannabis during the lockdown. It was regarded as one of the “essential items” by ordinary people. 

Cannabis as a Remedy for Sleep Issues and Anxiety

Recent poll says that most people who were buying cannabis during the pandemic were using it as a remedy for treating sleep disorders. Sleep disorders became quite widespread during Covid-19, majorly due to increased stress and anxiety. People were locked up in their rooms and working from home. With nothing to do at home, people began binging on TV shows and OTT platforms which messed with their normal sleep cycle. 

Cannabis came as a magic solution for all those problems. It helped stabilize the endocannabinoid system of the body and bring back the normal functioning of the sleep-wake cycle. Cannabis also interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors present in the central and peripheral nervous systems of the body and helps calm the nerves. It is very beneficial in relieving stress, anxiety, and depressive behavior. 

A new poll conducted in Canada showed that there was a 55% increase in the number of weed consumers since the pandemic. People were asked if the weed supplements really helped them with the health issues they faced during the pandemic. 78% of them answered positively. About 69% stated that they have been using weed as a sleep aid, and 68% said that it helped them with anxiety. 

Online Cannabis Delivery vs. Offline Cannabis Store During Pandemic

Though the sales of cannabis surged during the pandemic, it was not the same for both online weed delivery services and brick-and-mortar dispensaries. While the sales percentage for Online delivery saw a hike of about 57%, the sales in dispensaries declined by about 17%. So, why did people prefer online cannabis delivery services more than visiting a dispensary physically? Here are the most probable answers:

1. It Was More Convenient

The Governments of several states had announced during the pandemic that state-licensed weed dispensaries would stay open during the lockdown. But, people preferred ordering from online cannabis delivery systems as it was more convenient. They would be able to place orders from their home any time of the day and get them delivered to their doorstep. 

2. They Did Not Have to Step Outside the House

When the government declared a self-isolation period nationwide, stepping out of the house was not an option open to several people. But, with online delivery open, people were able to order their favorite cannabis products with ease.  

3. It Was A Much Safer Alternative

Going into crowded places was deemed unsafe during the pandemic. Buying from cannabis websites was safer. The vendors ensured that the packages were sanitized and there was a negligible risk to the consumer. People were also able to pay for their orders using several payment modes. 

4. People Were Able to Explore More Options

When offline access was limited, people could not visit different dispensaries anymore. Whereas they were able to explore products offered by several vendors on their websites at their fingertips and order their preferred product from home. It made online cannabis delivery more popular during the pandemic. 

What Cannabis Products Did People Prefer to Buy During the Pandemic?

According to polls conducted throughout the country, about 56% of weed consumers mentioned that they preferred using cannabis flowers during the pandemic. Another 51% said they opted for cannabis-infused edibles like gummies and other confectionery items. 14% of respondents stated that they used tinctures, while another 13% mentioned that pills and capsules were their chief method of consumption.

The change in the trend can be understood by the polls conducted pre-pandemic. Before the pandemic, about 61% of people preferred using buds, 50% chose to consume edibles, 42% chose vapes, and 12% picked tinctures. 

The Bottom Line

While several businesses crashed during the pandemic, the cannabis sector experienced a huge boom. It somehow became an essential commodity during the Covid-19 pandemic both as a medicinal supplement and a recreational ingredient. While numerous people worldwide bought cannabis to cope with stress and anxiety, others purchased it to revel in its amazing euphoric feeling. 

According to several polls conducted in countries where weed is legalized, people claim to benefit immensely from cannabis. We hope this article has helped you understand why there has been a change in the purchasing habits of consumers during the hard times of pandemics.